Motourage

The Australian Superbike Championship factory Honda team held its team launch this past weekend at the Watermark Bar at Docklands in Melbourne, Australia in the lead-up to the World Superbike event at Phillip Island this coming weekend.

The Team Honda Racing riders, #27 Jamie Stauffer, #47 Wayne Maxwell and #34 Josh Hook all gave their thoughts on the season ahead before unveiling the stunning, bright red livery of their new model CBR1000RRs and the CBR600RR. It was their first opportunity to view their machines in the new livery and all 3 riders were keen to take a closer look.

Special guest at the launch of Team Honda Racing was World Superbike Rider Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s Jonathan Rea. Pleased to start the season at the Phillip Island Circuit, Rea spoke of his preparation for the 2012 season and wished the Australian contingent all the best for the year.

Team Principle Paul Free echoed the thoughts of Honda Motorcycles general manager Tony Hinton when he expressed his excitement at returning to the 600 Supersport category in 2012. Both Free and Hinton agreed it will be a very strong season for the new Honda CBR1000RR and the CBR600RR with such a strong and competitive rider line-up in Maxwell, Stauffer and Hook.

Managing Director of Honda MPE, Mr Zenjiro Sakurai along with General Manager of Motorcycles, Tony Hinton and the marketing team at Honda were a testament to the strong and invaluable factory support given to Team Honda Racing, with marketing manager Glyn Griffiths even taking a leading role as MC for the launch.

Team Honda Racing will compete at the first round of the ASBK which takes place at the World Superbike Event February 24-26.

Team Honda Racing will return to the Australian 600 Supersport category in 2012 with last year’s ASBK 125GP Champion Josh Hook joining the team onboard a Motologic-prepared CBR600RR.

The young rider from Taree in New South Wales has already gained valuable experience in Australia and overseas, having competed in the Red Bull Rookies cup in the USA series two years in a row and competing as a wildcard entry in the IVECO Australian MotoGP 125cc class in both 2010 and 2011.

Excited to be racing with the factory Honda team, Josh believes he is ready for the challenge ahead saying “I am really looking forward to getting on the track on the Honda CBR600RR and I’m very excited to join Team Honda Racing. I know I will learn a lot working with the team as well as from Wayne and Jamie. It is a pretty competitive class so it’s not going to be easy, but I’m confident that we will find a good setup for me in testing and that I will feel comfortable on the bike going into Round 1 at Phillip Island.”

Team Principle, Paul Free is keen to see what the season brings for his expanding team and feels confident that the re-entry into the 600 Supersport class will be a notable one.

Paul Free:
“This is very exciting news for Team Honda Racing. The Motologic-based team has not competed in the 600 Supersport class for a few years now and we are all looking forward to returning to the category with Honda this season. Josh shows great potential and will fit in very well with everyone in the team. He will get his first taste of the CBR600RR soon in our first official test and I am sure he will do well going into the first event.”

Looking forward to Honda’s re-entry into the Supersport class, Tony Hinton, General Manager Honda Motorcycles said “Honda is excited to be re-entering the Supersport class in 2012 and welcoming Josh Hook into Team Honda Racing. Honda has a strong history in Supersport racing both here and on a World Championship level. Josh is a talented rider with fantastic potential and we look forward in helping him develop further, and to the prospect of challenging for the Australian Supersport Championship in 2012.”

An all-new production motorcycle racing category will be introduced by QBE Australian Superbike (ASBK) promoter, International Entertainment Group (IEG), in 2012. Motorcycling Australia (MA) has developed a 250cc Production class designed to foster new talent and assist riders in other disciplines to make the transition to the exciting sport of road racing, and is looking forward to working with IEG to deliver this new class in 2012.

Australian riders’ success on the world stage, most notably the recently crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner, has resulted in a surge of interest in the sport, and a national 250cc Production class will serve to introduce riders to the path they can take. 250cc Production will hold Australian Championship status in 2012, and will be run over four rounds, two each in Queensland and Victoria.

IEG Managing Director Yarrive Konsky is excited by the new development and the positive effects it will pass on for emerging riders.

“When I attended the MotoGP at Phillip Island I was overwhelmed by the level of support we have for racing in Australia,” said Konsky. “If this class can encourage more enthusiasts to get involved and hone their skills at a national level then it must be a good thing. At a national level, the 250 production class has previously kick-started the careers for riders the likes of Mat Mladin and Troy Corser, and we see it as the starting point for further success. The class rules will ensure riders race on an even playing field, putting the focus firmly on racecraft and learning the ability to setup and improve a motorcycle’s performance.”

Parity and affordability will be held paramount in the new class, which will be open to senior riders of all ages and grades. In line with current Superstock 600 rules, there will be a control tire specified and only one set will be allocated for qualifying and racing.

MA CEO David White said the new class would provide the opportunity for up-and-coming riders to compete at a cost-effective level.

“Motorcycling Australia is excited to introduce the new 250cc Production class,” said White. “MA is strongly committed to ensuring the continual advancement of Motorcycle Sport in Australia, and the introduction of the 250cc Production class is a vital step in ensuring growth and sustainability. This new class will provide an equitable and cost-effective pathway for riders seeking an introduction to the Road Racing world, and add an exciting new element to our comprehensive Australian Motorcycle Sport calendar. We look forward to watching this all new class develop over the coming years.”

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